10 simple spring-cleaning tips

10 simple spring-cleaning tips

Winter\'s finally over - and it\'s time to give your home a new lease of life. But before you pick up a duster or delve into your wardrobe, here are 10 top tips to help you clean up, declutter and revitalise your living space with the minimum of fuss...

By Jane Murphy

Take it one room at a time

One of the most common mistakes people make when spring-cleaning is moving randomly around the house, according to professional cleaners Merry Maids. One minute you\'re clearing out the cupboard under the sink - and the next, you\'re in the bedroom trying to stuff all your winter jumpers into a bin liner. The result? A great big, unsatisfying, exhausting mess! Instead, try to clean methodically from room to room: this will conserve your energy and ensure nothing gets missed out.

Get your duvet dry-cleaned

It\'s all too easy to overlook, but duvets should be cleaned twice a year. And now\'s the perfect time to do it, as you switch between winter and summer quilts. \'Most domestic washing machines are too small to clean a duvet effectively,\' advises expert \'cleanologist\' Grahame Becker from Johnson Cleaners. \'Professional dry-cleaning is more likely to kill off dust mites and the allergens produced by them: this is particularly important for people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments.\'

Freshen up your curtains

Curtains need cleaning at least once a year to prolong their life and keep them looking as good as new. If the fabric\'s washable, you should be able to clean and iron them at home: ironing is most effective while they\'re still slightly damp. \'If curtains are pleated or gathered at the top, it\'s important to release the pleats when spring-cleaning as they\'re real dust traps,\' says Grahame Becker. \'And look out for mildew. This often accumulates when the fabric rests on a damp windowsill or against patio doors, where condensation gathers - so remember to wipe sills and windows down regularly.\'

Rescue your carpets

Carpets accumulate a lot of dust, dirt and even fungi over time, all of which are unsightly, unhygienic and can be potential health hazards. Up to 80% of carpet dirt is loose and can be removed with regular vacuuming. But to tackle those really stubborn bugs and stains, it\'s well worth hiring professional steam-cleaning equipment for a day. Prices start from around £20 a day: try Johnson Cleaners (www.johnsoncleaners.com) or HSS Hire (www.hss.com). But be warned: you\'ll be shocked at how much dirt comes up.

Clean your oven

It\'s the job that everyone keeps putting off, but let\'s face it: the inside of your oven is in desperate need of a spruce-up after all those winter roasts and TV dinners. Want a tip to make life easier? Mix some bicarbonate of soda into a thick paste, then smear it inside your oven - including the door - and leave for a few hours or overnight. Then you simply wipe it away with a damp sponge. No chemical cleaners required!

Revamp your wardrobe

No, that doesn\'t mean you can head off for a spending spree on the high street. Now\'s the time to - literally - clean your wardrobe. \'Remove everything from your wardrobe and drawers, and vacuum them thoroughly inside and out,\' says celebrity fashion expert Julia Dee (www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk). \'Then wash the insides with soap and water. Moths love to eat, mate and lay eggs in dark, dusty, undisturbed corners.\'

Store away your winter woollies

Always wash or dry-clean your woollies before putting them into storage. \'Moths feed on the proteins in wool - and they especially love the food, skin and hair particles we leave behind on our clothes,\' says Julia Dee. \'What\'s more, perfume and deodorant stains may oxidise and worsen over time. Store out-of-season garments in cotton, breathable bags - never in plastic, as this can attract dust and condensation. The bags can be put into a box, then stored on a high shelf or on top of the cupboard.\'

Be charitable

Thanks to that pesky credit crunch, more of us are buying from charity shops - which means the stores are desperate for fresh stock. Do your bit for good causes by donating any clothes you haven\'t worn in the past year. And if you really can\'t bear to part with that maxi-dress from three seasons ago, wash it and bag it up, but leave it in a drawer. If you haven\'t missed it by the end of the summer, it\'s ready packaged to be given away. Remember, charities will also be glad of books, music, films and home accessories. And how about admitting you\'re only ever going to watch DVDs from now on, so finally getting rid of that old video collection?

Get your windows squeaky-clean

Now the sun\'s finally put in an appearance, it\'s time to get that natural light flooding through your windows. Want a cleaning tip? Spare parts retailers www.espares.co.uk suggest using an old spray bottle to mix together 1tsp washing-up liquid, half a teacup of white vinegar and two teacups of warm water. Spray this solution on to your windows and use a soft, dust-free rag to wipe clean. Magic!

Make your vases blooming lovely

If your favourite vases have become discoloured with grime and greenery over the winter months, you can give them a new lease of life with - wait for it! - a packet of frozen peas. \'Pour some frozen peas into the bottom of the vase, fill with cold water and swirl,\' suggest property and interior design experts Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan. \'The effect is like a jumbo dermabrasion and will gently get rid of a year\'s build-up of grime.\' So now you can buy yourself a bunch of spring flowers as a reward for all that cleaning...